Narrative:During takeoff from Memphis Municipal Airport the copilot mistook the captains hand gesture for a command to raise the undercarriage. The engineer immediately tried to pull the landing gear lever to the neutral position, but the airplane already banked left because of the left hand main gear had started to retract. The no. 1 propeller struck the runway, causing one of the blades to separate. The blade cut through the fuselage near the flight deck, causing considerable damage. A fire erupted due to ruptured hydraulic lines and shorted electrical circuits. It came to rest off the side of the runway. All on board, except for the captain, got out safely.

This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path. Distance from Memphis Municipal Airport, TN to Chickasha Municipal Airport, OK as the crow flies is 722 km (451 miles).

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.